Man City’s poor form continues at the start of the current season. They finished last season without winning a trophy, and things have not improved at the start of the current one either.
Pep Guardiola, who led his side to title triumph in six of the last eight seasons in the Premier League, is finding the going really tough at the moment, which is not normal for him. Defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion have pointed out the weaknesses his team continues to have.
Guardiola has been breaking some unwanted records as a manager since the middle of last season and the last year or so should go down as one of the leanest patches in his managerial career.
Established Stars Are Not Performing Well for Manchester City
The midfield triumvirate of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden, who have all been stalwarts for the Cityzens under Guardiola, have made six appearances for the Cityzens between them this season, but are yet to score a goal or provide assist so far.
This has been happening for quite some time now, as Bernardo and Foden have been below-par since the start of last season and the last year or so should go down as one of the leanest patches in his managerial career.
Foden was the PFA Player of the Season in the 2023/24 season, but finds it difficult to even make it to the starting XI now. Bernardo is 31 and is probably past his prime. Rodri endured a long lay-off due to an injury and will take some time to get back to his best.
The malaise is not just restricted to midfield. Ruben Dias is no longer as dependable as he was at the start of his stint with Manchester City. Both John Stones and Nathan Ake are past 30, and have become somewhat slower with age.
Manuel Akanji has moved to Inter Milan on loan and young defenders like Abdukadir Khusanov and Rayan Ait-Nouri have not yet gelled with the team properly.
Then, there is the issue with goalkeepers, with Ederson in his last year of contract and James Trafford finding it difficult to cope as the No. 1 goalie of the team.
Manchester City are still having the tendency to concede from counter-attacks, just as they did against both Tottenham and Brighton. Maybe, the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma will improve things.
Erling Haaland is the only star on the team who keeps performing without hurting his reputation. The Norwegian has scored three goals in three matches this season and has a tally of 127 goals from 149 matches for Man City.
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Can the Manchester Derby Improve Man City’s Poor Form?
The Cityzens will take on Manchester United on September 14. The match will be critical for the City, as dropping more points will push them further back in the title race. The Cityzens have a plethora of players and multiple ones in every position.
They have a very strong, probably the strongest, team in England on paper. However, it has to be converted to performance on the pitch, which is not happening at the moment.
It is up to Guardiola to inspire his lads and help them bounce back in style. It remains to be seen whether he is able to improve Man City’s poor form.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date: 31.08.2025